Officials to Announce Apparent Cause of Riverdale House Blaze

Authorities are set to release their findings Wednesday on the cause and origin of last week's Riverdale Heights house blaze , including on College Park resident.

Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor and other public safety officials will deliver a statement at 1 p.m. from the Cranford-Graves Fire Services Building in Landover Hills.

Since Friday night, fire officials say they've been reviewing the incident on three fronts: a determination of cause and origin, an operational review and "after action" report, and a safety audit.

"It is my intent to leave no stone un-turned and no question un-asked as we seek to discover the contributing factors that precipitated this incident," Bashoor said in a statement Tuesday.

Bashoor will also update the public on the condition of the two Bladensburg firefighters  at the Washington Hospital Center's burn unit.

At last report, Ethan Sorrell, 21, had his breathing tube removed and was breathing on his own.

"His spirits have increased as he was encouraged to walk the hallways and had the opportunity to spend time with some visitors," PGFD spokesman Mark Brady wrote on Monday.

Kevin O'Toole, 22, had skin graft surgery performed on several of his burns, which covered 40 percent of his body following the incident. The procedure is said to have gone well.

The College Park resident was released from the hospital Friday night.

How to Help

Patch readers have asked how they can help the injured firefighters. Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Spokesman Mark Brady asks that donations be made directly to the donation-powered burn center that has aided the firefighters:

"We cannot speak highly enough of the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation that has supported our Department and the families of the injured firefighters since their arrival Friday night. They are there for us every time we need to send a firefighter with burn or smoke injuries. They provide logistical support (hotels, transportation, etc.) and moral support to the gathered firefighters at the hospital. They are tremendous."